Cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant that has been linked with several potential health benefits. Although CBD was once associated with oil, the compound can be found in lots of different products, including drinks such as water, carbonated drinks, juice, tea, coffee, beer and wine. CBD beverages have been gaining in popularity since cannabidiol became legal in the UK, with the global CBD beverages market valued at 4.52 billion in 2022.
As CBD is non-psychoactive, this means it doesn’t get you high and is considered non-addictive. A report from The World Health Organisation (WHO) found that ‘CBD exhibits no effects indicative of abuse or dependence potential [and] there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with [its] use.’ This is unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major psychoactive component in the hemp plant.
CBD drinks can have a range of therapeutic effects on your physical and mental health. In general though, it is considered to help you relax and unwind — although this will depend on the type of CBD, the dosage, and your metabolism, diet, weight and genetics.
CBD drinks are thought to have several positive effects on our body and mind, including reduced stress, pain relief and improved sleep. Let’s have a look at these in more detail.
CBD has been shown to have anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing properties, which can help promote a sense of calm. This is one of the most sought out properties of CBD, with one survey concluding that the top reason for using CBD was for self-perceived anxiety (42.6%). And the science backs this up.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating lots of physiological processes, including mood. Serotonin is often referred to as the “feel-good” chemical as it is believed to contribute to feelings of happiness, and low levels of serotonin are linked to depression and other mood disorders.
CBD doesn’t boost serotonin levels, but it might affect how your brain’s chemical receptors respond to the serotonin that’s in your system. It is thought that CBD binds to your receptors to slow or stop the degradation of serotonin, similar to antidepressants.
It is thought that CBD can activate or inhibit certain receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which can lead to a reduction in pain and inflammation.
As well as tackling the stress and pain that might be causing you issues with sleep, CBD can help to tackle insomnia by helping you to relax before bed. As Dr Whitelocke explains for Forbes, ‘the hypothalamus plays a role in several sleep-related functions, including regulating body temperature and synchronising sleep patterns. CBD can help people with insomnia because it works with the hypothalamus to regulate stress [and] equalise the sleep and wake rhythm through counteracting hormones.”
Want to learn more about CBD for sleep? Read our article on how CBD tea can help you drift off.
And this list is not exhaustive — CBD is thought to help with a number of short and long-term conditions and illnesses, including but not limited to arthritis, addiction, ADHD, digestive disorders, inflammation and period pain.
We hope this article has helped you to better understand CBD drinks, and how they can make you feel. Shop our full range of CBD-infused drinks on our website, including our premium range of CBD tea and coffee pods, for an all-natural solution for better health and wellness.
Purity Coffee combines the finest Arabica Coffee beans with freshly harvested hemp leaves to produce a premium beverage that places emphasis on both flavour and the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Shop our full range of CBD-infused beverages on our website.
